ST. JAMES, Mo. (AP) – A southern Missouri sheriff says remains have been found along a creek where a 13-year-old boy was last seen in July.

Phelps County Sheriff Richard Lisenbe said Monday that tests are being conducted on the remains, but it’s unclear if they belong to Johnathan Shay, who was reported missing July 9 after he and an 11-year-old cousin left his grandmother’s yard in St. James, about 100 miles southwest of St. Louis.

The younger boy was found the next day walking along a creek.

Lisenbe said someone noticed remains along the creek where Shay was last seen and contacted authorities. The area is about a half mile from the home the children had wandered from.

Lisenbe says a tennis shoe and other items were also found that appear similar to Shay’s.